Arn't joining fees making it harder for new members?

[Sashisg]

My club had this year introduced a joining fee of £250 on top or raised membership fees. I've recently helped a friend join and have found it hard to persuade them to fork out for the extra fees. Are these fees just an attempt to claw in more money? Are they a sign that the club is struggling and needs other ways to secure finances? In a sport that is already expensive (with time and money), does it really make sense to tower on more fees? My club currently charges ~£1400 for full membership and £850 for intermediate membership.

I'm frustrated with this approach but keen to hear other opinions? I really want to see my flu flutist with membership and having larger contributions to competitions. Are there benefits that in overseeing?

 

[fundy]

Usually joining fees are actually a sign of a successful club not one struggling, ie they have plenty of membership demand, if they dont have the demand from potential new members then putting up a barrier to entry doesnt make much sense

 

[chellie]

Largeish joining fee at ours and there is a waiting list for the men.

 

[Deleted Member 1156]

I'm a firm believer in joining fees, it promotes a bit of loyalty to the club and encourages members to stay long term which gives the benefit to the club of being able to plan and finance long term improvements.

 

[fundy]

I'm a firm believer in joining fees, it promotes a bit of loyalty to the club and encourages members to stay long term which gives the benefit to the club of being able to plan and finance long term improvements.

As someone who has been a bit nomadic and moved around the country over the years I tend to have the opposite view, ok if you plan to spend 40 years living in the same place but prices clubs out if you move to a new area each 5 years or so

Dont buy that it helps planning finances etc, these should be easy enough to plan on a normal membership basis, all it does is provide some bunce to compensate for poor planning or unexpected costs

 

[guest100718]

I'm a firm believer in joining fees, it promotes a bit of loyalty to the club and encourages members to stay long term which gives the benefit to the club of being able to plan and finance long term improvements.

Helps keep out the riff raff

 

[fundy]

Helps keep out the riff raff

If thats how you perceive then Im happy to be kept out

 

[Deleted Member 1156]

As someone who has been a bit nomadic and moved around the country over the years I tend to have the opposite view, ok if you plan to spend 40 years living in the same place but prices clubs out if you move to a new area each 5 years or so

Dont buy that it helps planning finances etc, these should be easy enough to plan on a normal membership basis, all it does is provide some bunce to compensate for poor planning or unexpected costs

My argument is without a joining fee, half your membership could walk at the end of the year if there was an issue at a club (poor conditioning etc) but if you have forked out a grand or more you are more likely to ride the storm.

I understand what you are saying about moving around though, maybe you should negotiate golf club membership into the contract with the new employer

 

[fundy]

My argument is without a joining fee, half your membership could walk at the end of the year if there was an issue at a club (poor conditioning etc) but if you have forked out a grand or more you are more likely to ride the storm.

I understand what you are saying about moving around though, maybe you should negotiate golf club membership into the contract with the new employer

Well if the club have made that big an error then surely they get what they deserve! Im not sure that the joining fee will stop a lot of people going if things are that bad either

As for the 2nd paragraph, big issue is im the employer and the employee lol

 

[guest100718]

If thats how you perceive then Im happy to be kept out

you're the golf club snob...

 

[fundy]

you're the golf club snob...

im what? what because im a member of a course im a golf club snob? a week off ignore was too long for you!

 

[GB72]

Hate joining fees. Clubs should have to work to retain members and make them want to stay by being better than the competition. They should not have to use financial handcuffs to keep members when their decisions and actions have made them less attractive than the club down the road

 

[JCW]

My argument is without a joining fee, half your membership could walk at the end of the year if there was an issue at a club (poor conditioning etc) but if you have forked out a grand or more you are more likely to ride the storm.

I understand what you are saying about moving around though, maybe you should negotiate golf club membership into the contract with the new employer

At my club Parkstone its £2500 to join and there is a large waiting list , You are right about people leaving if they do not pay joining fees ....................EYG

 

[Blue in Munich]

My argument is without a joining fee, half your membership could walk at the end of the year if there was an issue at a club (poor conditioning etc) but if you have forked out a grand or more you are more likely to ride the storm.

I understand what you are saying about moving around though, maybe you should negotiate golf club membership into the contract with the new employer

Precisely what happened at my old club. Those of us that went to clubs without joining fees are still wandering round from club to club. Those that moved to clubs with joining fees have stayed put. Or is it that we just moved to better clubs…...

 

[guest100718]

They are are waste of money and a lot of clubs round here have got rid. I wouldnt pay a joining fee.

 

[fundy]

At my club Parkstone its £2500 to join and there is a large waiting list , You are right about people leaving if they do not pay joining fees ....................EYG

people stay at parkstone because its a cracking course, not because they paid a joining fee though surely?

 

[Deleted Member 1156]

people stay at parkstone because its a cracking course, not because they paid a joining fee though surely?

Parkstone is in the top 3 courses in the area but Broadstone is the best

 

[fundy]

Parkstone is in the top 3 courses in the area but Broadstone is the best

bit of luck next year Ill get to assess all the courses for myself (fitness permitting lol)

 

[Deleted Member 1156]

bit of luck next year Ill get to assess all the courses for myself (fitness permitting lol)

You are welcome at Broadstone anytime, just ping me a message if you fancy a game :thup:

 

[Franco]

Hate joining fees. Clubs should have to work to retain members and make them want to stay by being better than the competition. They should not have to use financial handcuffs to keep members when their decisions and actions have made them less attractive than the club down the road

I agree, no joining fee for me. If I don't settle in the club, I will move on.